TV cameras not allowed at Michelle Obama fundraiser

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- When First Lady Michelle Obama holds a fundraiser Friday in Portland, the print media will be there. So will bloggers. Television cameras will not.

At first we were told there was no room -- not even for one video camera --in the 5,000 square foot Ocean Gateway. When we pressed the issue, we were told that TV cameras were simply not going to be allowed.

This is not an unusual restriction coming from the Obama White House, nor was it from the Bush White House for that matter, but our question is why?

NBC Chief White House corespondent Chuck Todd says both parties are limiting media access these days. He believes the reasoning behind excluding TV cameras, is that the administration, and Mrs. Obama herself, don't want her painted in a political light.

Ted O'Meara, a long time Maine political strategist, says some fundraisers are public, others private. But he says it is a mystery to him as to why the White House would exclude just TV.

We contacted the Maine Democratic Party. They did not return our call for a comment.